The Federal Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) lists four categories under psychological disability: psychiatric disability, retardation, Learning Disability, and (physical) head trauma. Use these four terms for specific instances.
Just what is serious mental illness? Schizophrenia and mood disorders (such as bipolar and clinical depression) are the two most prevalent forms of serious psychological disabilities. People with serious psychological disabilities have some structural and biochemical characteristics in their brains that are different form those of people who are not mentally ill. Psychological disabilities are usually, although not always, a chronic disease. It is important for those around this person to realize that this type of disability is biological and not "a matter of choice." While no cure has yet been found, the symptoms can often be controlled with medication and other treatment methods. Psychological disabilities are moderated through medications much like someone with diabetes.
Myth: People who are mentally ill should just pull themselves together and think positively.
Fact: Serious mental illnesses are brain disorders over which people have little or no control. New research shows that both the structure and the functioning of the brain in those with a mental illness are different than in well individuals.
Myth: A person with schizophrenia has multiple personalities.
Fact: Schizophrenia is a disorder of the brain that changes the way people think. ³Split² or multiple personality disorder is a different and very rare form of mental illness.
Myth: Mental illness is caused by family stress or other life traumas.
Fact: Serious mental illness is not the product of ³bad parenting² or other caused, although stress may have an influence on when it appears.
Myth: Mentally ill persons are dangerous and violent.
Fact: Mentally ill people are no more violent than the general population. The disease exaggerates and distorts the personality. It does not change peaceful people into violent ones.
Many individuals with psychological disabilities have to deal with painful, negative, fearful and exclusive attitudes of co-workers and supervisors, and resentment of the reasonable accommodations provided to those with a physical disability. To exacerbate the matter, most are unwilling to discuss these attitudes openly. Strategies can be used to address these problems, including sensitivity training for co-workers and structured, open discussions for all employees to express concerns or questions.
Mental illness can be treated successfully. People who have a history of mental illness have skills, experiences and abilities that are not affected by their condition.
Because of the recurrent nature of psychological disabilities, flexibility is an essential accommodation for individuals with such disabilities. Specific strategies include:
Helpful supervisory accommodations include:
Medications and their effects vary from person to person. Sometimes an individual will remain on the same medication regiment for their entire life. However, some people build tolerances to medications that necessitate a new medication. Changes in behavior may be noticed when a change in medication has occurred. Dosage is often prescribed through some trial and error until the proper window, or amount, is found. The following is a list of symptoms that someone may feel who uses medications to regulate their psychological disability.